Specific demands and resources in the career of the Norwegian freelance musician

Bibliographic Data

ID12917028
AuthorsJonas Vaag (0000-0003-0548-4828, corresponding author), Fay Giæver (0000-0002-2029-8655, Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Ottar Bjerkeset (0000-0002-9023-4980, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
Year2013
Volume6
Issue3
Pages205-222
Publication date2013-12-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueArts & Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1753-3015 • E-ISSN: 1753-3023
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17533015.2013.863789
OpenAlexW2038651896
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited44

Background: Research indicates that there is a higher degree of mental health \nproblems, family/work conflicts and sleep-related problems among workers in creative \noccupations than in other professions. Research also reveals that musicians have to deal \nwith a relatively high degree of occupational stress. There is, however, a lack of \nresearch investigating the qualities of freelance musicians’ psychosocial work \nenvironment, as well as possible protective factors for maintaining good mental health. \nMethods: Based on 12 in-depth interviews, we used a template analysis to examine the \nunique characteristics of the professional life of freelance pop and rock musicians. \nResults: Using the job demands-resources model as a conceptual framework, we found \nthat an unpredictable future, threats to the family/work balance and significant amounts \nof external pressure were three broad contextual demands facing freelance musicians. \nSocial support from family, fellow band members, audiences and their professional \nnetwork, as well as having adequate personal resources such as entrepreneurial skills, \nvalue-anchored flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity and dedication to music making \nwere described as important for managing life as a freelance musician. \nConclusions: Musicians’ psychosocial work environment and health seem to be \nrelated to the three overarching protective factors also described in resilience research: \nnamely personal dispositions, family coherence and social resources

Mental health · Norwegian · Political science · Psychological resilience · Psychosocial · Public relations · Social support · Applied Psychology · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Musicians’ Health and Performance · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Psychology · Social Psychology

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